Citation No. ( 2026:JHHC:5897-DB )

Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 757 of 2003 Against the judgment and order of conviction and sentence dated

08.05.2003 (sentence passed on 09.05.2003) passed by Sri S. N. Pandey, learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge, Jamtara in Sessions Case No.

100 of 1997/274 of 2001

1. Gopal Mahato, son of late Hakim Mahato

2. Mohan Mahato, son of late Hakim Mahato

3. Bharat Mahato, son of late Mukunda Mahato

4. Anil Mahato, son of late Jhakur Mahato All are residents of Village Simalbari, P.O. & P.S. Bindapathar, District Jamtara ... Appellants Versus The State of Jharkhand … Respondent ----

PRESENT HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RONGON MUKHOPADHYAY HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN For the Appellants : Mrs. Snehlika Bhagat, Amicus Curiae For the Respondent (State) : Mrs. Vandana Bharti, APP For the Informant : Mr. Ashutosh Pd. Joshi, Advocate CAV on 11.02.2026 Delivered on 18. 02.2026 ----

Rongon Mukhopadhyay, J. : 1. Heard Mrs. Snehlika Bhagat, learned Amicus Curiae and Mrs. Vandana Bharti, learned APP assisted by Mr. Ashutosh Pd.

Joshi, learned counsel appearing for the informant.

2. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order of conviction and sentence dated 08.05.2003 (se